1 Samuel 24:13
New International Version
As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.

New Living Translation
As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you.

English Standard Version
As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you.

Berean Standard Bible
As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.

King James Bible
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

New King James Version
As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand shall not be against you.

New American Standard Bible
As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you.

NASB 1995
“As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’ but my hand shall not be against you.

NASB 1977
“As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you.

Legacy Standard Bible
As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you.

Amplified Bible
As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you.

Christian Standard Bible
As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness comes from wicked people.’ My hand will never be against you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness comes from wicked people.’ My hand will never be against you.

American Standard Version
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be upon thee.

Contemporary English Version
An old proverb says, "Only evil people do evil things," and so I won't harm you.

English Revised Version
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It's like people used to say long ago, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' But I will not lay a hand on you.

Good News Translation
You know the old saying, 'Evil is done only by evil people.' And so I will not harm you.

International Standard Version
Just like the ancient proverb says, 'From wicked people comes wickedness,' but I'm not against you.

Majority Standard Bible
As the old proverb says, ?Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.? But my hand will never be against you.

NET Bible
It's like the old proverb says: 'From evil people evil proceeds.' But my hand will not be against you.

New Heart English Bible
As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness;' but my hand shall not be on you.

Webster's Bible Translation
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but my hand shall not be upon thee.

World English Bible
As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
as the allegory of the ancients says, Wickedness goes out from the wicked, and my hand is not on you.

Young's Literal Translation
as saith the simile of the ancients, From the wicked goeth out wickedness, and my hand is not on thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
As the ancient parable will say, Injustice will go forth from the unjust; and my hand shall not be upon thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As also it is said in the old proverb: From the wicked shall wickedness come forth: therefore my hand shall not be upon thee. After whom dost thou come out, O king of Israel?

Catholic Public Domain Version
So too, it is said in the ancient proverb, ‘From the impious, impiety will go forth.’ Therefore, my hand will not be upon you.

New American Bible
As the old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness.’ Thus I will not lay a hand on you.

New Revised Standard Version
As the ancient proverb says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As it is said in the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked proceeds wickedness: but my hand shall not be against you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
As it is said in a proverb of the ancients: “From the wicked will come forth wickedness”, and my hand will not be against you!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As saith the proverb of the ancients: Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be upon thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As the old proverb says, Transgression will proceed from the wicked ones: but my hand shall not be upon thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Spares Saul
12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. 14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?…

Cross References
Matthew 7:16-20
By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ...

Proverbs 20:11
Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Luke 6:43-45
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. / The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

James 3:12
My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Matthew 12:33-35
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. / You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Proverbs 26:2
Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

Galatians 5:19-23
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ...

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Proverbs 10:6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Proverbs 11:27
He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.

1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.


Treasury of Scripture

As said the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked: but my hand shall not be on you.

Wickedness

Matthew 7:16-18
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? …

Matthew 12:33,34
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit…

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

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Ancients Deeds Evil Evil-Doer Evildoers Hand Lifted Out Proceedeth Proverb Simile Touch Wicked Wickedness
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Ancients Deeds Evil Evil-Doer Evildoers Hand Lifted Out Proceedeth Proverb Simile Touch Wicked Wickedness
1 Samuel 24
1. David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life
8. He shows thereby his innocence,
16. Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.














As the old proverb says
This phrase introduces a piece of wisdom that is recognized and accepted by the community. In ancient Israel, proverbs were a means of conveying moral truths and practical advice. The use of a proverb here suggests that David is appealing to a common understanding or shared cultural knowledge. Proverbs in the Hebrew tradition often encapsulate deep truths in simple, memorable phrases, reflecting the collective wisdom of the people.

Wickedness proceeds from the wicked
This part of the verse highlights a fundamental biblical principle: the nature of a person's heart is revealed through their actions. The Hebrew root for "wickedness" (רֶשַׁע, "resha") implies moral wrongness or injustice. The proverb suggests that evil actions are the natural outflow of an evil heart. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the importance of inner purity and righteousness. In the context of David's life, this statement serves as a defense of his own integrity and a subtle indictment of Saul's unjust pursuit.

but my hand will never be against you
David's declaration here is a powerful testament to his commitment to righteousness and his respect for God's anointed king, Saul. The phrase "my hand" symbolizes personal action or intervention. By stating that his hand will never be against Saul, David is expressing his refusal to take vengeance or harm Saul, despite having the opportunity. This reflects a deep trust in God's justice and timing. The Hebrew concept of "hand" (יָד, "yad") often denotes power or control, and David's restraint is a demonstration of his submission to God's authority rather than taking matters into his own hands.

(13) The proverb of the ancients.--Clericus, quoted by Lange, explains these words: "David means to say, that if he had been guilty of conspiracy against the king, he would not have neglected this favourable opportunity to kill him, since men usually indulge their feelings, and from a mind guilty of conspiracy nothing but corresponding deeds could come forth." So Grotius, who writes how "actions usually correspond to the quality of the mind." Erdmann quotes a Greek proverb: "From a bad raven comes a bad egg."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the old
הַקַּדְמֹנִ֔י (haq·qaḏ·mō·nî)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6931: Anterior, oriental

proverb
מְשַׁל֙ (mə·šal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4912: A pithy maxim, a simile

says,
יֹאמַ֗ר (yō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Wickedness
רֶ֑שַׁע (re·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7562: Wickedness

proceeds
יֵ֣צֵא (yê·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from the wicked.’
מֵרְשָׁעִ֖ים (mê·rə·šā·‘îm)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7561: To be, wrong, to disturb, violate

But my hand
וְיָדִ֖י (wə·yā·ḏî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

will never
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be
תִֽהְיֶה־ (ṯih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

against you.
בָּֽךְ׃ (bāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:13 As says the proverb of the ancients (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 24:12
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